The "let the states handle it" defense may not work for 2016-bound Republicans.

: Ron Sachs/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Top story: The problem for Republicans’ 2016 candidates on the issue of same-sex marriage is that the states are deciding.

The ‘serious’ candidates seem to have settled on some variety of states’ rights hot potato — here, you decide — when it comes to DOMA and same-sex marriage. For Marco Rubio, it’s stuff about “the democratic process” and how “each state … should decide their own definition of marriage.” (Marco Rubio)

And in Florida, well, even Republicans not named Rubio seem on board with the idea. (Tampa Bay Times)

In fact, looking to the next, next election — 2020 — Nate Silver estimates that support for same-sex marriage will be under 50 percent in only six states. (Five Thirty Eight)

Hell, even Justice Scalia understands what the DOMA decision, well, not so much hath wrought but hath symbolized. In as mean, snarky — but possibly prophetic — way, Scalia wrote in his dissent to the majority opinion that “By formally declaring anyone opposed to same-sex marriage an enemy of human decency, the majority arms well every challenger to a state law restricting marriage to its traditional definition.” (WSJ’s Law Blog)